Portable barbecues are the perfect summer companion for beach days or camping trips, offering a travel-friendly way to cook tasty grilled food away from home. With options ranging from charcoal to gas, and styles including kettle, open grill, and kamado, choosing the right one can be daunting.
Louise Perry-Warnes, founder of outdoor catering company Flames & Feasts, advises that gas barbecues are quicker and easier, while charcoal or wood offer a more ritualistic and enjoyable cooking experience. She emphasises that style matters: open grills suit simple cooking like burgers, while ceramic egg-style barbecues provide better heat distribution for versatile cooking such as slow roasting.
To help you decide, a range of portable barbecues from brands like Weber, Campingaz, and Kamado Joe were tested, with prices from £14 to £500. The Cobb barbecue emerged as the best overall, praised for its fuel efficiency, sustained heat, and dual grill and oven functionality. It comes with a travel-friendly shoulder bag and remains cool to the touch.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Hi-Gear folding leg BBQ grill at £30 is ideal for couples or solo trips, thanks to its compact design and easy storage. Meanwhile, the Campingaz tour & grill CV plus offers instant flame and easy cleaning, perfect for caravaners, though its heat is less intense than charcoal.
Other notable mentions include the Petromax atago, which is ready to use straight out of the box but lacks a lid, making it vulnerable to wind and rain. For a bargain, Asda's offering at £11.20 is suitable for occasional use.
